Truck skipping/jerking?

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Coletrain523

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So I've noticed within the past few days that when I'm driving down the road the truck at random times will jerk, not like a shake but just a sudden jolt and idk why it started doing this. The truck starts fine no matter how cold or hot. And it only does it at random times, yesterday it did it almost all day. But today it hasn't done it at all. I wouldn't say it has a rough idle, but it kinda Jerks a little. Not very noticeable. And I'm not sure what to do any help is greatly appreciated. 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4 5.9
 

MADDOG

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It could be electrical or fuel such a bad injector, fuel pump, fuel system freezing, a failing plug or plug wire that has a small short, etc....

Are you getting any flicker in the dash lights? Is your check engine light on?
 

aheeejd

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I experienced what you're talking about I think & always a few days or weeks of it starting I always got a whatever # cylinder misfire. Plugs/colipacks. Mine is 4.7 though

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Coletrain523

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So the truck is jerking a lot more. Enough to that I've stopped driving it for fear of it breaking bad. I checked the spark plugs to see if they were corroded or anything like that and the wires seem fine and the plugs have a very small coat of white powder on the tips. But seem to have oil on the threads and back end of the plug?
 
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Coletrain523

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It does use oil. I change my oil every 3000 miles, and I probably have to put about 2 courts, maybe just 1 in before I have to change it. I am the second owner and I've never changed it. And I don't believe the previous owner had either.
 
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Coletrain523

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I have noticed that every time I drive the truck and then get out all you can smell is burning oil. But the truck run fine until now?
 

Yeret

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Could be a heavy leak from the valve covers. Oil might be finding it's way into the spark plug chambers which would explain the oil on the plugs and on the manifolds which would explain the burning smell. If oil manages to reach the terminal of the plug (which I have actually seen before), it could short it out or weaken the spark.

Can you confirm a leak from the valve covers?
 
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Coletrain523

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So I've took the truck to a new shop (I don't have a mechanic) and they apparently did a test for the plenum gasket and said it was good (didn't think there was a test for that so idk what to think about that) but they did say the valve cover gasket was bad. And that they are going to change the plugs, wires, rotor, and valve cover gasket. Does that sound like a good solution for the problem or are they screwing with me?
 

Tyler4201993

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That actually sounds like a good as assessment they've made, but if that's all you need if I were you I would just do it yourself all of that stuff is very simple. You could definitely do it if you have a basic socket set and motivation and watch a few videos. Also might as well replace your valve cover gaskets and pcv valves.
 
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Coletrain523

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So I replaced the spark plugs and wires and cap and the valve cover gaskets. And the truck runs like a champ now
 
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